Chinese Political History II: Chapter 2, Exercise 2 — Possible Solution
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TASK
Recalculate the 1992 Three Gorges approval rate two ways and explain what
each means and which you would quote.

DATA (as reported)
  Yes 1,767   No 177   Abstain 664   Did not vote 25   Total 2,633

CALCULATION
  Check: 1,767 + 177 + 664 + 25 = 2,633.

  Against all delegates:          1,767 / 2,633 = 67.1 percent
  Against those who cast a vote:  1,767 / (2,633 - 25) = 1,767 / 2,608
                                  = 67.75 percent

MEANING
The 67.75 percent figure reported for the vote counts abstentions as votes
cast and excludes only the 25 who did not vote. The 67.1 percent figure
divides by everyone entitled to vote. Both treat the 664 abstentions as
non-support.

WHICH TO QUOTE
Either, provided you say which. The point that matters is that roughly a
third of delegates did not vote yes, which is very unusual for the NPC.
Say "about two-thirds" and give both counts.

CAUTION
A count of the three categories (yes, no, abstain) says nothing about why
delegates abstained. Do not claim independence from the numbers alone.